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How to Set Your Table Like the French

Not sure how to set a table? Next time you feel this way, take a few notes from the Parisians. They have a strong sense of tradition, which is why you'll often find even their most casual weekday dinners adorned with fine silverware and candlelight. By the same token, the French are epicurians at heart, which is why even though their tables are always beautifully set, their tablescapes are usually also deceptively simple to put together.

In their book, How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are, authors Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret, and Sophie Mas demystify some of the most fascinating qualities of the French—not limited to matters of love, style, and etiquette. We are fascinated by everything from the French way to light a room to the Europeans' technique for styling a mantelpiece, but one of our favorite chapters is the one on setting the table. The French have perfected a table-styling manner that looks both chic and effortless—a true feat. We're spilling these entertaining secrets below. Bon appétit!

"To set a table for a dinner party, there's no need to invest in a full set of china," the authors write. "The table should reflect what you have, and not be overly coordinated. Au contraire, the china can be a mottled collection of your finds at flea markets." In other words, mixing and matching also applies to the art of the table in France.

"Your glasses don't have to match either, but they should be clear (nothing colored) and should all have stems." In fact, when held properly, the stem serves an important purpose: it keeps the wine at the intended serving temperature—and the French are not about to temper with the quality of their wine for a trendy stemless glass.

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"For the napkins, it is nice to use old embroidered white ones with a monogram. These cost next to nothing on eBay or can be taken from your grandmother's drawers," the authors suggest. The French pass down china, flatware, and even linens down through generations, so don't be afraid to buy vintage. "There's no need to fold the napkins into complicated origami either; simply place them on or alongside the plates."

"At a Parisienne's table you will often find Laguiole folding knives, named after the French village where they are made. You can recognize them by the insect engraved on the handle," the authors say. If you are looking for to invest in quality steak knives, Laguiole is a solid option for any Francophile.

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"It's probably better to cover your table unless it's a truly beautiful one. Old linen sheets make excellent tablecloths. They can be white or dyed," they say. But don't spend precious minutes ironing your tablecloth. Do as the French do, and keep it effortless—linen is made to look wrinkled anyway.

"On every table there is an open bottle of wine and a carafe of water (not a plastic bottle)," say the authors. In fact, to drink or condiment bottle is acceptable on the table, save for a bottle of wine, and maybe a jar of Maille's traditional Dijon mustard.